Black smoke was seen rising from the Sistine Chapel on the evening of Wednesday, May 7th, indicating no pope had been chosen on the first day of conclave. The cardinals will continue debating and voting in a second round Thursday morning.
The cardinals held their first round of voting before evening prayer, but no candidate secured the required two-thirds majority, making the vote inconclusive. This marked the opening day of the conclave, which began after the cardinals took an oath of secrecy and the doors to the Sistine Chapel were sealed, only to be opened once a new pope is chosen.
People watching on St. Peter’s Square had to wait longer than expected for the smoke to emerge from the chimney. The black smoke was expected as no pope in modern times has been selected in just a single round of voting.
The 133 cardinals will spend their nights in one of the Vatican’s guesthouses, continuing debating and deliberating in a more informal setting before returning to the Sistine Chapel on Thursday.
There are expected to be four votes per day on Thursday and Friday until a new pope is elected. If no one is elected by the end of Friday, the cardinals will spend Saturday as a day of prayer and reflection before voting again on Sunday.
